The Spanish Wine Regions You Should Be Visiting Right Now

At the feet of the Sierra de la Demanda and Sierra de Guadarrama mountain ranges just northeast of Madrid, you’ll find a dramatic stretch of countryside that’s home to not one, but two, wine regions—the rocky, golden Ribera and the wild, lush Rueda, which lie side-by-side along the Duero River. They’ve long been overshadowed by Rioja, Spain’s oldest and most famous wine region, but perhaps not for much longer: in recent years, wine industry insiders have nicknamed Ribera and Rueda "the Napa and Sonoma of Madrid." Throw in a flurry of luxe new hotels and great food, and you've got the perfect Spanish weekend escape.

WHY YOU’RE GOING

For starters, there's the killer wine—Ribera’s bold, Tempranillo-based reds and Rueda’s lively, citrusy Verdejos. “Wines from Ribera express so much power—every sip you take is five punches to your tastebuds,” says Charles Ford, the wine director and sommelier at The Bristol in Chicago. “Then you have the very youthful and versatile wines in Rueda. The crisp, fresh white wines that are made here are so refreshing and easy to drink.”

Fred Dexheimer, a Master Sommelier and founder of RX Wine Lab in Durham, North Carolina, agrees. “I love the juiciness and the elegance of Ribera wines, which straddle that line between new world fruit and old world elegance," he says. "In contrast, Rueda wines are fun, affordable, and meant for everyday drinking. Given a little time, they'll be giving Sauvignon Blanc a run for its money.”

Wine aside, there's the strikingly diverse beauty of the northern Spanish countryside, which is a destination in and of itself. "You have these two incredibly different, distinct landscapes," says Ford. “Ribera is this unique region that's been dug out of a plateau by the Duero River, while Rueda has these vast, rolling bluffs scored with vineyards. I've never seen a better sunset than in Rueda: the clouds are always so close to the ground, you feel like they're right on top of you.”

When it comes to vibe, they're not unlike California's two most famous wine regions. “Ribera and Rueda are the Napa and Sonoma of Madrid,” adds Dexheimer. "It's all about eating good food and drinking great wine."

HOW TO GET THERE

From the Madrid city center, hop on the Autovía 1 (A1 highway) and cut a northbound trail toward Caleruega. The drive alone is worth the journey—you’ll cruise past the dramatic peaks of the Macizo del Pico del Lobo-Cebollera Nature Reserve, which are snow-capped even in the spring, and enjoy views of the spectacular Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range almost the entire drive in. Alternatively, you can take the two-hour high speed train from Madrid’s Atocha station to Valladolid’s Campo Grande station, located smack in the middle of Ribera and Rueda (a one-way ticket is $40). In the city of Valladolid, you’ll find lots of tapas bars, restaurants, and beautiful hotels, which can help with arranging trips to nearby wineries.

WHERE TO EAT

In Ribera, stop in the sleepy town of Peñafiel for lunch at Restaurante Plata—a small, cozy mom-and-pop eatery with exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and a chalkboard menu. Their specialty is roast lamb, so make sure to order it with a side of locally-sourced artichokes, mushrooms, and asparagus. For dinner, head to the restaurant at Fuente Aceña: it's a gorgeous split-level, stone-and-brick affair that overlooks the Duero River and serves up the finest seafood in town. But if it's traditional Spanish country fare you're after, look no further than Mesón de Pedro in Rueda for silky, fatty *jamón,*plump, pimento-stuffed olives, and plates piled high with delicious grilled lamb and rabbit.

WHERE TO DRINK

You can’t visit Ribera with stopping by the award-winning Bodegas Aalto: according to Ford, it’s one of the youngest—and best—wineries in the region, focused on tradition and "absolute perfection." They offer only two different wines, the Aalto and the Aalto Pagos Seleccionados, both made from 100 percent Tinto Fino, and they're exceptional. Similarly, Bodega Tinto Pesquera makes some of the best Tempranillo around—and the views over the lush, 500-acre vineyards from their 16th-century winery don't hurt, either. If you like your wineries modern and minimalist, Pago de Los Capellanes has the sleekest winery around, with clean and polished wines to match.

In Rueda, Ford recommends stopping into Bodega Javier Sanz, a picturesque winery in La Seca that’s dedicated to making traditional Rueda wines in an eco-friendly manner. “They make a rare Malcorta wine that’s incredibly labor intensive," he says. "I’m sure it doesn’t bring in the big bucks for them, but they do it entirely out of their dedication to making wine." The nearby Bodegas Naia is also worth a visit for their bright, zesty Verdejo, as well as Bodegas Mocén for some lovely sparkling wine made using the traditional French *méthode champenoise.*Note: make sure to call all wineries before visiting as tastings in both regions tend to be a casual, ad hoc affair.

WHERE TO STAY

The lovely Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena in San Bernardo is the place to stay during a trip to Ribera and Rueda. It’s a converted 12th-century Cistercian monastery turned luxe spa retreat, with 79 unique, thoughtfully decorated rooms (which can currently be booked for as little as $120 per night) and an ultramodern spa with thermal pools. For something a little more cozy and homely, the charming Parador de Tordesillas is a Castillian manor house that offers small—but sweet—rooms in the heart of Rueda (rates begin at $75 per night).